What Is Functional Neurology?

The practice of Functional Neurology is based in neuroscience and explores how the latest research can be applied to patient care. After determining the efficiency at which an individual's nervous system is functioning, a Functional Neurologist can create a treatment program to assist in improving the capabilities of the patient's nervous system. Functional Neurologists, unlike medical Neurologists, do not use drugs or surgery to achieve this.

Building upon the core premise of neuroplasticity – the ability of the brain and nervous system to adapt and change in response to stimulus – Functional Neurologists are able to engage in the rehabilitation of a significant range of conditions. These include movement disorders, vestibular conditions, neurodegenerative and demyelinating diseases, traumatic brain injury, neurodevelopmental disorders, pain complexes and more. Care programs may involve specific exercises, stimulation with sound, light or touch among a range of ways to stimulate the brain and nervous system.

Disclaimer

Practitioners listed on AAFNs website, and lecturers that present at AAFN events, are not medically trained or medically registered within Australia (unless clearly indicated).

All content presented (clinical, research or theoretical) relating to functional neurology/neuroscience, though sourced from current scientific literature as much as possible, is not meant to convey a medically trained opinion, or specifically a medical neurologist expert opinion on topics presented.

Patients who attend for functional neurology services should seek a second opinion from a registered specialist neurologist or medical practitioner, if they wish to do so, prior to commencing treatment.